For the first time since 2005, when both Andrew Black and Mike Matusow reached the closing nine, the final table sees a well known professional in amongst the internet rookies and lesser known pros. Phil Ivey, who is regarded by many as the best poker player in the world will have just under 10,000,000 chips come November.
Ivey, however is relatively short stacked in comparison to many of his companions at the Rio All Suite Casino, chip leader Darvin Moon has a whopping 58,930,000. Moon therefore has a huge advantage over the rest of the table when play restarts in three months times. Blinds begin at 150,000/300,000 which will leave players such as Ivey and James Akenhead, who has 6,800,000 chips, under pressure to make early moves in an attempt to keep level with the average chip count.
Akenhead, who is currently in ninth place, is in line to pick up at least $1,250,000. However, fellow professional Neil Channing, who won the 2008 Irish Open, has a 25% stake in Akenhead and I’m sure the two players will be putting the hours in together over the next few months to get Akenhead in prime condition for the November Nine. You can watch an interview of Akenhead by Channing here.
Elsewhere at the final table is Jeff Shulman, editor of Card Player magazine, who has past experience of the main event final table, finishing 7th in 2000. With just under 20,000,000 chips he is one of the more experienced players and will be a real force in November. At 7/1 Shulman may offer some value, whilst Phil Ivey, despite having half the stack of Shulman is just 6/1 thanks to his prestigious name within the poker world. Moon, of course, is favourite at 3/1 whilst the Londoner Akenhead can be backed at a top price of 20/1.
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